Founders' Week

Randolph Community College traces its roots to April 3, 1958, when the State Board of Education approved the creation of the Randolph Industrial Education Center (RIEC). Local business, education, and civic leaders recognized the need for skilled workers to support a growing economy and worked together to bring technical education to Randolph County.

Construction of the first building on campus, the original section of what is now known as the Administration/Education Center, began in 1961, and on Sept. 4, 1962, the Randolph Industrial Education Center officially opened its doors with 115 full-time students, eight faculty members, and four staff members. That date marks the beginning of what would become Randolph Community College.

The College was founded with a clear mission: prepare students for careers that met the workforce needs of local industries.

The original curriculum included programs such as:

• Automotive Mechanics
• Drafting
• Electricity
• Electronics
• Machine Shop
• Welding

Continuing Education classes also began in 1962, reflecting the College's commitment to serving both traditional students and working adults. Within just a few years, enrollment and community demand were growing rapidly, laying the foundation for future expansion.

As Randolph County grew, so did the College.

Over the decades, the institution expanded its academic offerings, facilities, and community partnerships while changing its name to reflect its broader mission:

• 1962: Randolph Industrial Education Center
• 1965: Randolph Technical Institute
• 1979: Randolph Technical College
• 1988: Randolph Community College

New instructional buildings, the Archdale Campus, Emergency Services Training Center, Continuing Education & Industrial Center, Richard Petty Education Center, Allied Health Center, Education and Engagement Center, and expanded workforce training opportunities have enabled RCC to serve thousands of students each year.

Some highlights from RCC's history include:

• 1958 – State approval granted for the Randolph Industrial Education Center.
• 1962 – First classes begin.
• 1965 – First Associate in Applied Science degrees offered.
• 1980 – Armadillo adopted as the official mascot.
• 1988 – College officially becomes Randolph Community College.
• 1999 – Launch of the Virtual Campus and first online courses.
• 2006 – Randolph Early College High School begins on campus.
• 2012 – RCC celebrates its 50th Anniversary, which was also the first official Founders' Day celebration.
• 2020 – The College successfully transitions instruction during the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to serve students.
• 2022 – RCC celebrates its 60th Anniversary.

What began as a small technical training center has evolved into a comprehensive community college offering:

• College transfer degrees
• Career and technical education
• Workforce development
• Apprenticeships
• Continuing Education
• Adult Education
• Online learning
• Customized business and industry training

While the programs and technology have changed dramatically since 1962, the College's mission remains the same: providing accessible, affordable education that transforms lives and strengthens the community.

For more than six decades, Randolph Community College has helped shape the workforce, economy, and quality of life throughout the region.

Today, RCC serves students from across North Carolina and beyond while partnering with local employers, schools, industries, and community organizations to prepare the next generation of skilled professionals.

From its first class of 115 students to the thousands who learn through curriculum, workforce, and continuing education programs each year, RCC continues to fulfill the vision of its founders: creating opportunities through education and helping individuals build brighter futures.

2012

The first Founders Day even was organized by Clark Adams, English/Communication Instructor, and Debbie Luck, Dean of Library Services and was held on October 20, 2012, as part of RCC’s 50th Anniversary celebration. All retirees of the college were invited to a luncheon in the Photography Studio. A slideshow of photos of each retiree was shown, and an Employee Service Recognition Wall was unveiled which listed every full-time employee who retired from the College. This Employee Service Recognition Wall was hung in the Administration-Education Center hallway to honor the service of each RCC retiree.

2015

There were no Founders Day events held from 2013-2015; but in 2015, the Founders Day event was hosted by the RCC Foundation as its first #RCCProud day on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. Lorie McCroskey, Director of Development in the RCC Foundation, organized the event along with input from Clark Adams. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends were asked to join RCC on Founders Day to show pride in the college and to celebrate its founding and accomplishments. To join the celebration, people were asked to wear orange or blue or both, to share why they were #RCCProud on social media, or to make a gift of at least $19.62 to the RCC Foundation.  
*Why $19.62? Because Randolph Community College officially opened on September 4, 1962.

2016

Founders Day was celebrated on September 1, 2016, with cupcakes provided in the plaza between the R. Alton Cox Learning Resources Center and the Welcome Center from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.  Students, alumni, faculty, staff, and friends were asked to join RCC on Founders Day to show pride in the college and to celebrate its founding and accomplishments.  To join the celebration, people were asked to wear orange or blue or both, to share why they were #RCCProud on social media, or to make a gift of at least $19.62 to The RCC Foundation.
*Why $19.62? Because Randolph Community College officially opened on September 4, 1962.

*There were no Founders Day events held from 2017-2021.

2022: RCC’s 60^th Anniversary

For RCC’s 60^th anniversary, the first Founders Week was held. (Article)

The Randolph Community College community celebrated Founders’ Week Sept. 4-9 as the College turned 60 years old.

The on-campus celebration started Tuesday, Sept. 6, with Community and Campus Resources Day on the plaza of the Asheboro Campus. Community organizations joined RCC clubs and divisions at tables, handing out information before rain put a halt on the event at noon.

On Wednesday, Sept. 7, the RCC Library opened its archives exhibit, put together by Archival Services Librarian Laura Silva using artifacts gathered by English/Communications Instructor Clark Adams and now-retired Dean of Library Services Debbie Luck.  Clark Adams delivered a message about the importance of RCC’s history and its preservation.

The College celebrated RCC Impact Day on Thursday, Sept. 8, with social media posts on the impact the College makes on the local community, focusing on Apprenticeship Randolph. The RCC Foundation Donor Gala, an annual appreciation dinner for the College’s top donors, was held that night at Holly Ridge Golf Links.

On Friday, Sept. 9, RCC faculty and staff, Trustees, and local elected officials gathered in Azalea Park to celebrate with — what else — an armadillo cake.

https://www.randolph.edu/news/2022/09/rcc-celebrates-60th.aspx

2023

*No Founders Day event was held in 2023.

2024

Founders Day was organized by Clark Adams and held in the Frank and Ella B. Lowe Azalea Park on Sept. 4, 2024.

Retiree Speaker: Greg Stewart, a 1975 graduate of RCC’s Photographic Technology Program, and Division Chair, Commercial and Artistic Production/Instructor, Photographic Technology from 1981-2011 shared his memories of being a student at RCC and a faculty member for 30 years.

2025

A Founders Day Committee was formed for the first time on July 23, 2025.  The original members consisted of Clark Adams (Chair), David Richardson, Lisa Evans, Rebecca Marshall, Megan Crotty, Tyler Burrow, Brandon Watt, and Jenny Thomas.  The Founders Day Committee became one of RCC’s Standing Committees on Sept. 9, 2025.

Founders Day was held in the Frank and Ella B. Lowe Azalea Park on September 4, 2025.

Alumni Speaker: Katie Melvin, a 2018 associate in science graduate from RCC and Meteorologist at WTVF News Channel 5 in Nashville, Tenn., served as the alumni speaker.

Retiree Speaker: Debbie Luck, Retired Dean of Library Services from 1988-2021, served as the retiree speaker and shared memories of how RCC impacted students and the community during her 33-year career as the longest-serving librarian in the history of the college.